You no longer have to keep referring to the next film as Star Wars Episode VIII as Disney has revealed the title of the latest instalment in the franchise.

The official Star Wars Twitter account revealed the next chapter will be called Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The tweet read: "It's official. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. This December. TheLastJedi."

A statement on starwars.com said: "We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy.

"In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. "

The film is scheduled for release on Friday December 15, 2017 and Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) is expected to play a prominent role.

The Last Jedi is a sequel to 2015's The Force Awakens and will follow on from the story of Jakku scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley), runaway stormtrooper turned good guy Finn (John Boyega) and resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).

The forthcoming film is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman.